Loosening the Belt, Hyundai to Continue Expansion

From the little automaker that could to a bonafide slugger, Hyundai has come a long way over the past few years. Understanding what Americans want, and then surpassing expectations has proven a winning formula. Hyundai hopes to continue the trend with a bevy of new offerings that will deliver the value it has become known for, while bringing some new names to the party.Most immediately, Hyundai's Veloster sporty coupe will hit showrooms this month, and a newly designed Azera will arrive before year's end. The Elantra will enter coupe territory, three-row Sante Fes will be longer to enhance third-row comfort, and future plans call for a luxurious SUV, a dedicated plug-in hybrid sedan, and a BMW 3 Series fighter.What's Hot: Hyundai's new sporty Veloster makes its debut, will feature a lot of tech for its price point, including a dual-clutch transmission option. The Azera will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.What' s Not: The Veracruz SUV. The mid-size SUV never really caught on and will be phased out. Hyundai is expected to go back to the drawing board and deliver a more appealing version for the 2014 model year.

Veloster: First generation to have a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. A turbocharged 200-hp version to come the next model year. 3 doors, lots of tech options and a dual-clutch transmission available.

Azera: Redesigned, debuting at the LA Auto Show, new 3.5-liter V-6 to produce 300-hp. The Azera is to fill the gap between the Sonata and Genesis, and the front-wheel layout is to appeal to cold-weather dwellers.

Accent: The high-volume budget car has been redesigned to fit the company's new styling, a roomy cabin and best among the competition 138-hp make it competitive.

Genesis: An updated 3.8-liter V-6 boosts horsepower to 333, an R-spec sedan is new to the lineup, delivering 429-hp on the 5.0-liter V-8.

Genesis Coupe: 2013's to receive the 3.8-liter V-6 from the Genesis sedan and possibly revised styling to go up-market like the Genesis.

Elantra: A coupe will debut at the LA Auto Show in November, the sedan should see a refresh in 2013.

Elantra Touring: A restyled version in line with the company's "fluidic sculpture" design to appear in 2012.

Santa Fe: To be redesigned fall of 2012, two versions will be available, including a lengthened version to accommodate an expanded third-row.

Tucson: A refresh is scheduled for 2013.

Veracruz: The mid-sized SUV will be phased out amid slow sales, but is expected to make a return for the 2014 model year, new and improved.

Sonata: The Sonata has enjoyed success in the U.S. but will be restyled to appeal to the more conservative South Korean market sometime in 2014.

Equus: The automaker's luxury sedan receives the same 5.0-liter V-8 used in the R-spec Genesis.

Sports sedan: A BMW 3 Series fighter is in the works, it is expected to take styling cues from the Genesis Coupe.

Plug-in Hybrid: An all-new dedicated plug-in hybrid is to arrive as a 2013 or 2014 model. The car will not be a variant of an existing model.

Source: Automotive News

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